Northern Red Muntjac

Muntiacus vaginalis

Males possess elongated upper canine teeth that resemble small tusks, which they use for fighting other males over territory.

Scientific name: Muntiacus vaginalis
Taxonomy: Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Artiodactyla › Cervidae › Muntiacus
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Population trend: stable
Biome: forest
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests, scrublands, and hilly terrains usually near a permanent water source.
Diet: Omnivorous herbivore; primarily consumes grasses, fallen fruits, shoots, and seeds, but occasionally eats bird eggs.
Range: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Southwest China
Size: 40-60 cm shoulder height; weight 14-28 kg
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Active: crepuscular
Threats: Illegal hunting for meat and skins, and habitat fragmentation due to agricultural expansion.
Safe to approach?: Harmless and extremely shy. Maintain a respectful distance of 15 meters to avoid stressing the animal. If you hear a loud, dog-like bark, you have likely startled one. They are not aggressive toward humans.

The Northern red muntjac ( Muntiacus vaginalis ) is a species of muntjac. It is found in numerous countries of south-central and southeast Asia.

Photo: Pieter Prins, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist